Jesse Martin’s final words in senior speech, banquet recap

Posted By
Mike Chambers
On
April 23, 2011 @ 11:25 am
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University of Denver |
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I wrote live from Friday night’s DU hockey banquet but didn’t have much room in the paper. So here are some follow-up items.

Today’s story in the paper focused on senior center Jesse Martin, winner of the team’s most-inspirational-player award, and his recovery from a near-fatal neck injury. Afterward, I spoke to Jesse about his pending graduation, his summer plans, his ability to ditch his neck brace when not sleeping, and beginning grad school at DU in the fall.

He has not applied for a medical redshirt with the NCAA, but by remaining in school at DU, he gives himself a chance to continue his hockey career as a fifth-year senior (if a redshirt is granted), or as I reminded him, there are special cases where an athlete with a prolonged recovery from injury is given a sixth season.

However, Jesse’s neck pain and arm numbness continue, and he said he still hasn’t been given the green light to skate for the first time since suffering the injury Oct. 30 at North Dakota. Bottom line: Jesse’s competitive playing career could be over. Only time will tell.

Nevertheless, Jesse will lead a normal life. And he’s excited about that. Here are his final words during his senior speech:

“When one door closes, another one opens, and when I find that door, I will be ready to walk through it.”

— Former DU goalie Gerry Powers, who backstopped the 1968 and 1969 NCAA championships teams, was among the attending alumni. Powers has battled cancer this past year but is on the road to recovery.

— Senior defenseman/forward Jon Cook delivered some humorous moments. He told a story about meeting Mark Rycroft, the former DU, St. Louis Blues and Avalanche forward, and having a “man-crush” on his future brother in law. Cook thanked Rycroft for being his golfing buddy and hockey supporter before revealing that the “man crush is gone.”

— Senior defenseman Chris Nutini … Ah, nevermind. You had to have been there.

— Former goalie Marc Cheverie of the Florida Panthers organization was in attendance and I heard Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bozak was there too, but I didn’t see him. Cheverie and Bozak would have delivered senior speeches if they had stuck around.

— Jay Stickney was his usual boring self. No, no — the DU radio guy and event master of ceremonies was brilliant — or as funny as the school would allow. I’m 100 percent sure the school tells Jay every year to keep his wit to a minimum. While introducing the freshmen class, Jay requested that each rookie reveal his favorite Justin Bieber song. The boys followed along and it was hilarious.

— Senior captain Kyle Ostrow delivered a fantastic speech. He talked about how cool it was to play with his younger brother, sophomore Shawn Ostrow, and said something like (this is not a direct quote) “while we weren’t exactly the Sedin twins, we had better grades than the Shores.” The Ostrows were two of DU’s five WCHA scholar-athletes, along with Martin, Chris Nutini and Paul Phillips.

— Freshman goalie Sam Brittain, who won the Keith Magnuson Award as DU’s best defensive player, is still sporting a mo-hawk hairdo.

— Maiani missed the event. The fine Italian playmaker is playing minor-league hockey in West Virginia.

— Super fan Damien Goddard, the 1989 DU grad who founded and operates LetsGoDU.com — the informative and entertaining blog devoted to all things Pioneers — flew in from his home in Houston to attend the event. Not sure anyone thanked Damien for his tireless efforts to promote the hockey program, but certainly, he’s a real gem who deserves credit. Beside the late Jim White, I haven’t met anyone more passionate about DU hockey than Damien Goddard.

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